SAN DIEGO – The Point Loma women's basketball team came from 12 points down to defeat Biola, 68-63, and take over the top spot in the PacWest standings.
Cara Liggins scored a game-high 18 points to lead four Sea Lions in double-figures. The junior guard also added seven rebounds and three assists.
Onjalise Carley-Hilliard and
Sydney Peterson each chipped in with 15 points, and
Carol Schroeder registered her second double-double of the season with 10 points and game-high 11 rebounds.
After a back-and-forth first quarter, Liggins hit a 3-pointer to start the second quarter, which put PLNU in front 21-19. Biola then went on a 13-0 run and led by 12 (35-23) with 2:02 left in the half. The Sea Lions responded with a 10-2 run, which was capped off by layups from Schroeder and Liggins, to make it 37-33 at halftime.
Point Loma would cut the deficit to one (56-55) at the end of the third quarter, before outscoring the Eagles 13-7 in the fourth to complete the comeback win. The Sea Lions went to Carley-Hilliard multiple times down the stretch, including for the go-ahead basket twice in the final three minutes.
Team Records
Point Loma (8-2, 4-0 PacWest), Biola (7-3, 3-1 PacWest)
PacWest Implications
With the win, PLNU becomes the first team to start PacWest play at 4-0. PLNU currently sits atop the standings with a half-game lead over Fresno Pacific (3-0) and Hawaii Pacific (3-0). This was the first loss in conference for Biola. The Eagles fell to fifth place with the result.
Words from coach Lisa Faulkner and the student-athletes
News and Notes
> Point Loma has used the same starting lineup in all 10 games this season
> The Sea Lions outscored the Eagles at the free throw line by 16 (23-7)
> The 23 made free throws marks the fourth time this season Point Loma has made 20 or more free throws in a game (season-high 29 at Dominican)
> PLNU outrebounded Biola by 15 (43-28), and are now 8-0 when it outrebounds its opponent
Next Game
PLNU will be on a competition hiatus this week due to finals at the university. The Sea Lions be back on the court on Saturday, Dec. 21 at Azusa Pacific (7-2, 2-2 PacWest). The game will tip at 2 p.m.
